The Capitals look to jump back into the top three in the Metro as they host the Wild in DC on a busy Thursday night.

The Minnesota Wild continue to be one of the hottest teams in the league and have ripped off three straight wins and eight of their last 10 overall heading into tonight's show down with the Capitals. Minnesota still sits six points back of the Blackhawks for the third automatic entry in the Central division which pits them in the wild card spot and while they are likely to wrap up a playoff spot it'll prove difficult to sneak into a spot where they can gain home ice advantage which would be absolutely massive for them. Devan Dubnyk has been unreal since his departure from Arizona and he will get the call in this spot against Braden Holtby in a show down between two goaltenders who have been spectacular this season.

The Capitals meanwhile sit in a very similar posiiton as they have grips on the top wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and they too are looking to sneak back into the divisional tree and possibly claim home ice. Washington has enjoyed a strong season under new head coach Barry Trotz and if they clamp down on a playoff spot they will certainly be a tough out as they have the pedigree both offensively and defensively to succeed and with guys like Alex Ovechkin and Nick Backstrom scoring goals at will and Holtby between the pipes this is a team that could shock people and make a serious push. This is a great game between two well balanced teams but in the end I think the greatest difference between these teams will be Washington's offense and I like them to get it done on home ice tonight.

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